We were worried that potential U.S. voters were turned off by all the "negative political campaign ads" on TV. So, it was a nice surprise to see that many of you were seeking out tips on "voter registration" and researching some of the serious issues that will appear on the ballots in various states on Tuesday. Here are the top ten ballot issues according to your searches...

1. Abortion—Voters in South Dakota will be deciding whether to uphold or annul a law that would ban virtually all abortions. Ballot measures in Oregon and California could require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. You searched for "abortion debate," "abortion laws" and "abortion facts and statistics."


2. Marijuana—Colorado and Nevada voters will be deciding whether or not to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, and South Dakotans will be voting on whether to legalize medical marijuana. You wanted information on "medical marijuana," "legalization of marijuana," and "marijuana facts."


3. Stem Cell Research—A Missouri ballot measure would guarantee that all federally allowed stem cell research, including on embryos, can be performed in the state. You searched for "pros and cons of stem cell research," "michael j. fox stem cell research," "embryonic stem cell research," and "history of stem cell research."


4. Smoking—Voters in Nevada, Arizona, and Ohio will see proposals for expanding no-smoking laws. Meanwhile, proposals to raise tobacco taxes will appear on ballots in California, Missouri, and South Dakota. You looked up "effects of smoking," "ways to quit smoking," and "smoking ban."


5. Minimum Wage -- Proposals to raise the state minimum wage are on the ballots in Missouri, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, and Ohio. You searched for "what is the current minimum wage," "history of minimum wage," and "minimum wage by state."


6. Gay Marriage—Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin will vote on state constitutional amendments that could ban same-sex marriage. Strangely, Colorado voters will decide on a rival measure that would actually legalize domestic partnerships even if the marriage ban passes. You looked up "gay marriage states" "pros and cons of gay marriage," and "gay marriage statistics."


7. Affirmative Action—A Michigan ballot measure means voters will decide whether or not to end affirmative action programs in university admissions and government hiring. Curious folks looked up "definition of affirmative action" and "history of affirmative action."


8. Environment—In California there is a measure on the ballot that would tax oil companies billions of dollars to fund alternative energy development. You looked up "environmental issues," "environmental problems," "environmental news," and "environmental health."


9. Illegal Immigration—There are four measures on the ballot in Arizona that would deny bail to illegal immigrants charged with a serious felony, make English the state's official language, bar illegal immigrants from receiving punitive damages in lawsuits, and prohibit them from receiving certain government services and benefits. You're looking up "economic cost of illegal immigration" and "illegal immigration vs amnesty."


10. Alternative Energy—A California ballot measure might end up taxing oil producers to pay for alternative energy programs. A Washington measure could require large utility companies to increase renewable energy sources. You smarty pantses looked up "alternative energy sources using biological organisms."